221 #84: Creating and Exporting Flash Files 3. When you have dened the Stage, it’s a good idea to begin saving your le to FLA format. Choose File > Save. Choose Flash CS5 Docu- ment (*.a) as the Format. Use the Where pop-up menu to navigate to a folder, and click Save. 4. At any point, you can export your project as a playable Flash (SWF) le. To do that, choose File > Export > Export Movie. In the Export Movie dialog, enter a lename (if you wish it to be dierent than your already named FLA le), use the Where pop-up menu to navigate to a folder, and leave the Format set to SWF Movie. Click Save. You can preview an animation at any time by choosing Control > Test Movie > in Flash Professional. The animation will play in the Flash Player. Other File Type Options? Additional file type options in the General Tab of the New Document dialog provide a head start if you are designing for specialized environments like AIR (stand-alone Flash applica- tions that do not require the Flash Player) or mobile devices. However, you can export any project to these platforms during the saving and exporting process. Templates Feel free to explore the Templates tab. The Advertising category pro- vides a set of helpful stage (viewable workspace) sizes. Other categories open preset animations with artwork. We’ll explore the most widely applicable of these templates, the ones that generate slideshows, in Chapter 14, “Creating S lideshows in Flash Professional.” Export to QuickTime, Animated GIF, Sequences Other export options (besides SWF) allow you to export a Flash animation as a QuickTime movie or an animated GIF file, or to sequence all the frames in your animation to image files. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com CHAPTER THIRTEEN Creating Flash Professional Web Elements 222 Drawing in Flash CS5 # 85 Can we cover drawing strokes and lls in Flash Professional CS5 in a few pages in this highly compressed book? A bit. I’ll show you how to dene and draw strokes and lls so that you can create basic artwork for Flash projects, but I’ll advise you to create your artwork in Illustrator (or Photoshop) and import it into Flash since that works so seamlessly. The Flash Tools panel includes several tools for quickly drawing shapes. The Rectangle tool, for example, draws rectangles with square or rounded corners, and the Oval tool draws ovals (including circles). The easiest way to dene shape parameters is to select them in the Properties panel before you draw. The Rectangle tool Properties panel, for example, allows you to dene Stroke and Fill colors, Stroke (width), (Stroke) Style, Caps and Joins (how strokes end or meet), and rounded rectangle radii (Figure 85a). Figure 85a Defining and drawing a rectangle with a white, 2-pixel-wide stroke, a brown fill, and rounded corners. Unintuitive Selection Editing Flash artwork is unintuitive for designers used to either Photoshop or Illustrator because of the way Flash CS5 allows you to select strokes and fills. Unlike other drawing environ- ments, Flash treats strokes and fills as discrete editable and movable objects. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 223 #85: Drawing in Flash CS5 You can click once on a stroke to select the segment of the stroke you clicked, or double-click to select the entire continuous stroke (Figure 85b). Figure 85b Editing properties of a selected stroke. To select both a shape’s stroke and ll (before moving or resizing), double-click on the ll (Figure 85c). Figure 85c Editing a selected entire shape. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com CHAPTER THIRTEEN Creating Flash Professional Web Elements 224 Importing Artwork from Illustrator or Photoshop # 86 The best way to create artwork in Flash CS5 is to create it not in Flash but in Illustrator or Photoshop. Flash CS5 has powerful import features that preserve layers and many lters or eects applied in Photoshop or Illustrator. To import artwork from Illustrator or Photoshop onto the Stage of a Flash le, choose File > Import > Import to Stage. Use the Import dialog to navigate to and select a Photoshop (PSD) or Illustrator (AI) le, and click Open. Depending on the elements in the imported le, the Import to Stage dialog will prompt you with options for converting those elements to Flash objects (Figure 86a). Figure 86a Options for importing an Illustrator file onto the Flash CS5 Stage—here choosing to import selected type as editable text. After you examine and choose import options for elements that must be converted to Flash objects, click OK to import the artwork onto the Flash Stage. Not All Filters and Effects Are Preserved! Not all Illustrator effects or Photoshop filters can be supported as eects and lters in Flash. The limita- tion is the capacity of the Flash Player to generate those effects and filters. More recent versions of Flash Player support more effects and filters. Effects and filters that cannot be imported are converted to regular artwork. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 225 #87: Using the Text Layout Framework (TLF) Using the Text Layout Framework (TLF) # 87 The single most dramatic change in the design capacity of Flash Profes- sional in CS5 may well be the addition of near-print-level typography tools. The new Text Layout Framework (TLF) elevates Flash’s text format- ting options substantially. TLF can apply column formatting, including column threading so designers can ow type between columns as they would in Illustrator or InDesign. Another intriguing development is the ability to dene leading (vertical line spacing) and kerning (horizontal spacing between characters). To create text using TLF features, click the Text tool and view the Prop- erties panel (Window > Properties if it is not visible). From the Text Engine (top) pop-up menu, choose TLF to take advantage of new TLF format features. From the Text Type pop-up menu (below the Text Engine pop- up menu), choose from the options Read Only, Selectable (text that can be copied and pasted through the clipboard), or Editable (viewers can change the text in the Flash Player). Font formatting is controlled in the Character settings section of the Properties panel. In addition to font Family (like Verdana or Courier), Size, and color, you can dene vertical spacing between lines of type as well as kerning (spacing between characters) (Figure 87a). Figure 87a Defining kerning between two characters. Vertical Type… and Underlining! With TLF, Flash can work with editable type that flows vertically (mainly used for Asian languages). And with CS5, Flash finally allows underlining text. Kerning in Flash The only option for Kerning in Flash CS5 is auto-kern- ing on or off. In Illustrator kerning is done differently. There, besides auto-kern- ing, to kern you just place your cursor between two characters and don’t select the characters. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com CHAPTER THIRTEEN Creating Flash Professional Web Elements 226 The Advanced Character section provides a high level of typographic control for features like links and link targets (what browser window a link opens in). The Paragraph section of the Text Properties panel denes position (left, right, middle, or full, with various options for that). The Container and Flow section of the panel denes the box around text as well as column ow. The Color Eect sections enables eects like tint and brightness. The Display section allows you to dene dierent kinds of opacity/transparency. Defining Links Looking for an easy way to assign hyperlinks to text? You can do that in the Advanced Character section of the Text Proper- ties panel. Just keep in mind that you cannot assign links to editable text in the Text Properties panel. Editable Text? Providing editable text can give visitors to a Web site an interesting interactive engagement, such as “Type YOUR NAME here.” You can- not assign links to editable text in the Text Properties panel, but you might use this in some interactive application, like a game. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 227 #88: Creating a Timeline Creating a Timeline # 88 Let’s create a simple interactive Flash element to add a bit of tension and drama to a Web-page banner. In this How-To, we’ll do the rst part of the project—create a timeline with two dierent frames and dierent content in each frame. In the following How-To, we’ll add ActionScripting (don’t worry, no coding required) so that the two frames become a two-frame interac- tive Flash object, where visitors click to reveal the contents of the second frame. In this case, I’ll use the example of a banner, but you can adjust the How-To for any kind of interactive Flash object that can be plopped any- where on a Web page: 1. Create a new Flash le by choosing File > New; make sure ActionScript 3.0 is selected in the Type column, and click OK. 2. Size the Stage to t a Web-page banner. With nothing selected, the Properties panel denes the Stage and other le properties. Click the Edit button in the Properties section of the Properties panel (sounds redundant, I know), and enter dimensions: 960 px wide, 100 px high (Figure 88a). You can redene the Stage background color here as well using the Background Color swatch. Then click OK. Figure 88a Redefining the artboard size for a banner. 3. Choose Window > Timeline to view the Timeline on the bottom of the Stage, if it is not visible. The Timeline is where both interactivity and animation are managed (see sidebars). Here, we’ll use the Timeline to create content in two dierent frames. Inserting Flash in Web Pages For a full exploration of how to embed Flash mov- ies (SWFs) in Web pages, see #38, “Embedding Flash (SWF),” in Chapter 6. Adjusting 3D Perspective Angle When you define (or change) the artboard size in Flash CS5, you are prompted with a check box that says “Adjust 3d perspective angle to preserve current stage projection.” This allows the artboard to adjust to fit 3D animation—a feature beyond the scope of this quick survey of Flash. But there’s no harm in leaving the check box in the default, checked state. Managing Type? For a compressed survey of how to create and edit type in Flash CS5, see #87, “Using the Text Layout Framework (TLF).” (continued on next page) Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com CHAPTER THIRTEEN Creating Flash Professional Web Elements 228 4. By default, any artwork you create will be in the rst frame. Select the Text tool, and enter and format small type (something like 14 points) that says “Click here to see our new logo” (Figure 88b). Figure 88b Entering text in the first frame of a Flash object. 5. Next click in the second frame in the Timeline, and choose Insert > Timeline > Blank Keyframe to create a second, clear frame on the Timeline. 6. In the second frame, enter text and/or paste artwork from Illustrator or Photoshop (or create artwork in Flash) for a banner or logo ( Figure 88c). Figure 88c Adding content to the second frame (a blank keyframe) in a Flash movie. Now that we’ve constructed a two-frame Flash project, we’re ready to add interactive coding with Code Snippets. I’ll show you how to do that in the next How-To. Timeline Frames The Timeline grid is com- posed of layers and frames. Frames can be thought of as similar to frames in a movie. When used to manage ani- mation, they display itera- tions of artwork that, when played in sequence, look animated. When used to manage interactivity—as we are doing here—they control what is displayed in response to actions by a viewer. Timeline Layers Flash objects (also called Flash movies) can have more than one dimension of frames. For example, an animation background, in one layer, might be static, while the artwork in the foreground (a second layer) is animated. In addition, actions—snippets of coding that control interactivity— have their own layer. Flash CS5 is cool enough to gener- ally generate new layers as needed for actions, and even for animation when needed. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 229 #89: Using Code Snippets Using Code Snippets # 89 Here, we’ll pick up where we left o in #88, “Creating a Timeline.” That How-To left us with distinct content in frame 1 and frame 2 of a Flash Timeline. Now, we’ll add actions (scripting) that make the project interac- tive, so that clicking (on content in the rst frame) displays new content (the second frame). Follow these steps to generate coding using to move from frame 1 to frame 2. 1. Choose Window > Code Snippets to open the Code Snippets panel (if it is not open). 2. Click in the Timeline on the rst frame. We’re going to generate some code to stop the movie here when the Flash object opens in a Web page, rather than have it simply display both frames in sequence. With the rst frame selected, expand the Timeline Navigation section of the Code Snippets, and double-click on Stop at this Frame (Figure 89a). Two things happen: Flash adds an Actions layer to the Timeline, and an ActionScript 3 code snippet (script) is generated and displayed in the Actions panel. Figure 89a Generating a code snippet to apply to frame 1. Timeline Snippets With the enhancement of Code Snippets in Flash Professional CS5, Timeline navigation is now more accessible: The Timeline Nav- igation section of Code Snip- pets allows a designer to stop a movie at a set frame, to go to another frame and stop, to play a movie, or to go to a defined scene within a movie and play it. More Snippets Interactivity, up to and including the ability to gen- erate games, is available from Code Snippets in the Animation list. Code Snippets and the Actions Panel When you generate a code snippet, the coding appears in the Actions panel with helpful documentation on how to tweak or adjust the animation or interactivity. That makes the code snip- pets editable even if you don’t know Flash’s Action- Script 3 coding language. (continued on next page) Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com CHAPTER THIRTEEN Creating Flash Professional Web Elements 230 3. Next, use the Selection tool to select text that will activate an action to display the contents of the second frame. With that text selected, back in the Code Snippets panel, double-click on Click to Go to Next Frame and Stop (Figure 89b). A warning dialog appears telling you that Flash is creating a symbol instance to make the generated code work—that’s ne. Click OK in that dialog. Again, the Actions panel opens displaying the new generated code. Figure 89b Adding ActionScript to go to the next frame of the movie and stop. Test your movie by choosing Control > Test Movie > in Flash Professional. FLV Controls? Try Catalyst If you rely on code snippets to generate controls for an audio or video player, I fear you’ll need more help than you get from the hints. You can persevere and study the documentation that comes with the code hints, or you’ll probably find it easier to generate player controls in Flash Catalyst (see #80, “Cre- ating a Media Player in Cata- lyst,” in Chapter 12). Coding without Coding Coding actions—bits of script that make an anima- tion or interactive object in Flash stop, go, change, or do all kinds of other things— has gotten much easier in CS5. As you see here, the Code Snippets panel pro- vides “hints” so broad that even those of us who are coding-challenged can man- age them. Embedding Fonts You must either choose Text > Font Embedding from the main menu or, with the Text tool selected, in the Characters section of the Properties panel choose the font and click Embed to open the Font Embedding panel. On the ActionScript tab you must click Export for ActionScript before you are allowed to choose TLF. Complex, but it works. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com [...]... panel (Figure 94 b) Figure 94 b Adjusting the background color of the slideshow #94 : Creating an Advanced Photo Album Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 246 Dreamweaver Webs? Each time you adjust and customize the slideshow, test the presentation (Figure 94 c) For instructions on setting up a Dreamweaver Web site, see #1, “Defining a Local Web Site.” Figure 94 c Testing... Images/Titles, Matte, and Background layers for frame 5, and choose Insert > Timeline > Keyframe (Figure 93 c) You can repeat these steps in additional frames to add more slides For an exploration of your options when exporting slideshows for the Web, see #96 , “Exporting SWF Slideshows.” Embedding SWFs in Web Pages You’ll find the steps to embed Flash (SWF) files in Web pages in #38, “Embedding Flash (SWF),” in... tween has been generated You can use the scrubber head to preview the shape tweening (Figure 91 c) Figure 91 c Previewing a shape tween 7 Finally, extend the Text layer by clicking in frame 48 on the Text layer and choosing Insert > Timeline > Keyframe #91 : Generating a Morphing Shape You can adapt the techniques in #90 , “Creating an Animated Movie,” to add keyframes, and to edit the shape of the morphing... the Timeline to preview the animation (Figure 90 b) Figure 90 b Previewing a defined motion tween 4 To make the animation more interesting, add another keyframe in the 12th frame With that new keyframe selected, move the artwork again to create a more complex animation path (Figure 90 c) Figure 90 c Adding an additional keyframe and adjusting an animation path 5 To slow the animation, click on a section of... on the Text layer to move it to the top of the Timeline (Figure 91 a) Figure 91 a Moving a Timeline layer 4 Click in the first frame of the Shape Tween layer, and draw a circle, or something close to one CHAPTER THIRTEEN Creating Flash Professional Web Elements Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 2 35 5 Click on the 48th frame (to allow 2 seconds for the shape tween... same folder as the images When you embed the slideshow in a Dreamweaver CS5 Web page, copy both the SWF file and all the images to the same folder (or subfolder) in the Dreamweaver Web page CHAPTER FOURTEEN Creating Slideshows in Flash Professional Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 247 95 # Publishing Slideshows as SWFs When you publish a slideshow as a SWF, you... Professional Web Elements Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 233 6 Finally, let’s add a code snippet to stop the animation at frame 24 so it doesn’t loop With your cursor on frame 24, open the Code Snippets panel and expand the Timeline Navigation section Double-click on Stop at this Frame (Figure 90 d) Figure 90 d Adding a code snippet to stop an animation #90 : Creating... You can use the Convert Anchor Point tool in Flash CS5, which works the same way as its twin in Illustrator CS5 Use the Convert Anchor tool to convert corner anchors to smooth (or combine) anchors Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 234 91 # Multiple Layers? When you place artwork on different layers in Flash CS5, artwork on layers higher on the list in the Timeline... box (Figure 92 a) Click Save Figure 92 a Defining a template CHAPTER THIRTEEN Creating Flash Professional Web Elements Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com 237 You can create new Flash files from your template by choosing File > New and selecting the Templates tab in the New dialog Your custom template will appear in the category you assigned it to (Figure 92 b) Saving... parameters for an HTML Web page that is generated when you publish your slideshow This creates a page, with the slideshow in it, that can be opened and edited in Dreamweaver The Flash Only template works for most situations 5 Finally, use the Formats tab in the Publish Settings dialog to define the file name and folder to which your files (SWF, and if you choose, HTML) will be saved (Figure 95 a) Use the blue . http://www.simpopdf.com CHAPTER THIRTEEN Creating Flash Professional Web Elements 222 Drawing in Flash CS5 # 85 Can we cover drawing strokes and lls in Flash Professional CS5 in a few pages in this highly compressed. http://www.simpopdf.com 223 # 85: Drawing in Flash CS5 You can click once on a stroke to select the segment of the stroke you clicked, or double-click to select the entire continuous stroke (Figure 85b). Figure 85b Editing. ll (Figure 85c). Figure 85c Editing a selected entire shape. Simpo PDF Merge and Split Unregistered Version - http://www.simpopdf.com CHAPTER THIRTEEN Creating Flash Professional Web Elements 224 Importing